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Greenify Me

Staying zero waste at a party can be pretty challenging. Whether it's a family event or a friend's party, I get it. Waste happens. Between all the disposable plates, cups and utensils, it's hard to feel like the environmentalist you are. However, I'm here to tell you there's hope. While you can't completely control the actions of others, you can control your own. I've been to several parties, family and friend, and I can assure you, I know how to stay zero waste at a party. If you're confident, pleasant and polite, you won't have any problems. You may slip up every once and a while, it happens to the best of us, but I'm here to give you my tips and tricks. Follow these general guidelines and you'll go home feeling more proud of yourself than ever. Here's how to stay zero waste at a party.

Mosquitoes love my blood, so creating a zero waste bug spray was a high priority this summer. I'm sure many of you can relate: You're sitting outside, enjoying the summer evening, and before you know it, you're covered in bug bites. And worst of all, they itch like mad! Not sure about you, but whenever I get a mosquito bite, it starts out small, then swells up like a big balloon on my skin. It's so uncomfortable and disgusting.

But worse yet, there's very limited zero waste, all-natural options for bug repellent on the market. Unfortunately, most store-bought bug sprays contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) - try saying that three times. In studies on rats, prolonged DEET exposure led to diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes. The study concluded humans should stay away from it as well. However, other studies have shown that many people are fine when they use DEET products on a sporadic basis.

That's all well and good, but I don't like to take chances with my own health. I'd rather eliminate the risk altogether and stick to using something natural. Plus, lets face it, making your own insect repellent is way cheaper. Who wants to spend X amount of dollars on one can of bug spray when they can buy ingredients that make them multiple cans of bug spray? Here's how to make your own all-natural zero waste bug spray.

Every Saturday I come home with a beautiful zero waste farmers market haul. Reusable tote bags stuffed with mesh produce bags; Returnable paper cartons filled with delicious, local berries; Spinach and romaine lettuce with leaves the size of my hand. Fresh produce gives me so much life. Not only is it healthier for me, but it's healthier for the planet. There's very minimal packaging on these plants, if at all, at the market. I'm able to go there with produce bags a blazing and stuff 'em all in. No plastic single-use bags needed. And I do it every. single. Saturday. It feels so good knowing I have this beautiful bounty to look forward to. The earth produces some amazing things (especially in summer, at the peak of growing season) and it's fantastic to experience that first hand. Why wrap something as beautiful as lettuce the size of my head in a plastic bag? I don't think so. If you've been wanting to shop at the farmers market, or even just the grocery store, without producing waste, be prepared. I'm going to show you exactly what I use to get the job done. Here are my zero waste farmers market essentials.

Zero waste sunscreen is a must in the summer months. Unfortunately, most commercial sunscreens come packaged in plastic and have questionable ingredients in them. Speaking of questionable ingredients, did you hear Hawaii recently banned the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs? The bill will go into effect by January 1st, 2021, giving retailers plenty of time to get harmful sunscreens off the shelves. It makes you wonder why these sunscreens are on the market to begin with. Because, lets face it, if they're harmful for other organisms, chances are they're harmful to us as well. The truth is, none of this stuff is properly regulated (the beauty industry can pretty much sell you just about anything, it's that unregulated). That includes sunscreens. It's time we opened our eyes and took control of our personal health again - not to mention the earth's! Follow Hawaii's lead and ditch conventional sunscreen. Instead, opt for zero waste sunscreens that are both plastic free and reef safe. I have 6 amazing zero waste sunscreens lined up for you. Which ever sunscreen you pick, you'll be making an amazing purchase for the environment and your health. Lets save the coral reefs together!

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About Me

Ariana Palmieri is a zero waste blogger dedicated to sustainable living, all-natural products, and improving the environment in Staten Island, New York. In July 2015 she started her blog, Greenify-Me, and in 2017 she joined the zero waste community. She's been blogging from a zero waste angle ever since. Her work has been featured on MindBodyGreen, Motivation Grid, The Penny Hoarder, Plant Makeup, Basmati, and several other publications.